Featured Athlete of the Week: Cayla Kientz, Basketball, North Putnam High School

Cayla Kientz, 17, is a senior at North Putnam High School. She is a starting forward on the basketball team, but has found success in softball and soccer as well. She's been named to the All-West Central Conference soccer team for the past three years and was the All-Star game MVP in the fall. Kientz is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD). NPHS basketball coach Curtis Lawrence described Kientz as a great leader whose contributions don't show up on the stat sheet. She listens to country, hip-hop and Christian music, but hates oldies. Her favorite subject in school is math, and she hated history because "it's boring."

Banner Graphic: Who is your favorite athlete, and why?
Cayla Kientz: I'm pretty sure she doesn't play any more: Mia Hamm. She was my all-time favorite because she played soccer and I liked watching her. Soccer is my favorite sport.

BG: Who inspires you?
CK: Right now probably Morgan Robinson because she stayed with everything and is still going to all the practices and stuff.

BG: What was it like last week when Robinson, in a wheel chair, took the court on senior night?
CK: That was really hard, because she started crying, and then Sam (Lucas) started crying, then I teared up. It was very emotional, but exciting at the same time.

BG: Do you prefer to play offense or defense?
CK: I love defense. I'm not really much of shooter. Everybody says I am, but I don't like shooting. I like the anticipation. I like stealing passes. Fouling is fun, too.

BG: What is your relationship like with your teammates?
CK: We all pretty much get along. We just pick each other up.

BG: What lessons have you learned from sports?
CK: Obviously, the main one that everybody gives. "Don't give up. Keep going." But also push through even if you are having a bad day. Don't let other people get you down. Leave everything on the floor.

BG: What are your plans after high school?
CK: I'm going to ISU (Indiana State University) to major in athletic training. And then, from there be an athletic trainer, either at a high school or some college somewhere.